CTfertility.com | Getting Started with IVF

In your upcoming IVF orientation class, we will review each of the procedures you will undergo, including egg retrieval and embryo transfer; as well as other laboratory techniques which you may also require, such as intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), assisted hatching (AH), blastocyst culture, embryo freezing, and pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD).

You will also be provided with consent forms for each of the techniques planned for you, which you and your partner will need to sign before you begin any of your medications. And you will be assigned to your personal IVF Coordinator, who will guide you through the process, and whom you should contact directly with any IVF-related questions.

A physical examination and certain pre-IVF screening tests will also be required, including:

IVF screening (female) including bloodwork, PAP smear, cultures, and physical / gyn examination
Uterine lining evaluations (HSG and sonohysterogram): cycle day 5 - 12
Uterine - cervical mapping
IVF screening (male) including bloodwork and formal semen analysis in our IVF Laboratory
Other

During this preparatory time, you will also be required to arrange financial counseling by contacting our IVF Financial Counselor to discuss any questions or issues regarding insurance or finances. If your benefits do not cover IVF services, you must also arrange a meeting with him or another member of our Financial Services staff to review costs and payment options. All such arrangements must be approved and completed prior to your starting your medications.

Following the completion of these steps, we will then assign you the specific injectable medication treatment plan which has been selected for you, and review each phase of it with you, including instruction regarding injection technique, dosage, and timing.

Lastly, before your procedures, a consultation with your physician is also required, at which time you will review important aspects of your care -- for example, any issues raised in the consent forms, the number of embryos planned for transfer, or whether to freeze embryos.

If you have any questions or concerns, please bring them to our attention promptly. Remember, we are here for you!